Bowles, Jan - Love Slave to the Sicilian Billionaire [Guilty Pleasures 4] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Jan Bowles Page B

and impenetrable. Soon, if they continued their relationship, Max would allow her to enter. The idea both frightened and excited her. She wondered just what erotic delights lay behind the blacked-out windows.
    Instead of walking directly across the courtyard and back to Max’s bedroom, Ella felt drawn to the playroom. Without thinking, she walked across and tried the sliding partition. It wasn’t locked. Her heart flipped in her chest, and she looked over her shoulder, wondering if Max had heard. If she went inside, at least she would know what to expect. On the other hand, Max had made it clear that she was not allowed to enter without his permission. She knew he would be angry if she dared to disobey his wishes. She was aware that her heart was pounding heavily, and wondered if Max heard it. She admonished herself for being ridiculous. Of course he can’t hear it, you stupid woman . The open playroom door proved too tempting to resist.
    With a deep breath, Ella slid the opaque glass door open and tentatively stepped inside. An impressive array of light switches lay located just inside the entrance, and she flicked one on. Immediately, the room was flooded in bright light. She looked outside, wondering if the light would wake Max. She needn’t have worried. The thick black glass was only one way. Although she could see out, no one could see in. Feeling more confident, Ella closed the glass door behind her and moved further into the room.
    Three walls were completely covered with floor-to-ceiling mirrors. Max clearly loved seeing everything, and evidently from every possible angle, too. Five large metal hooks were bolted to the ceiling, and a large wooden chest lay over in the far corner. There was nothing else. Her shocked expression reflected back at her from every mirrored wall. She heard her faltering steps as she walked across the white marble flooring. She’d expected to find a selection of racks and whips, and possibly even a St. Andrew’s Cross, but there was nothing of the sort.
    As though on autopilot, she made her way to the only object in the room—the wooden chest. It looked so old, like it had seen service on a galleon that was part of the Spanish Armada. Ella kneeled down in front of it, and with trembling fingers, reached out to open the huge lid. She felt certain that inside would lay the implements of sexual torture and pleasure.
    The solid oak lid was extremely heavy, and she strained as she tried to raise it. Without warning, a bare foot stamped the lid firmly shut. “What the hell do you think you’re doing in here, Ella? I expressly told you this room is strictly off-limits. You only come in here if and when I allow it.”

Chapter Nine

    Ella’s blue eyes looked huge and frightened as she stared up at him from a kneeling position. Her obvious vulnerability made him feel all-powerful. “Come.” Max stretched out a hand, and pulled her to her feet. He felt tiny tremors of anticipation pulsing through her fingertips. It felt good having her complete attention. When she stood in front of him, he cupped her chin, angling her face to his. He wanted to test her reaction, so he kept his voice low. “I should give you a good spanking for coming in here without my permission. I’m minded to lay you across my knee and redden your bare ass right now.”
    “Please, Max. I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t be in here.” Her eyes flared wide, and she snapped her head back defensively. “Please don’t spank me. I promise not to do it again. But it’s partly your fault, too. If you don’t want anyone to come in, then you should keep it locked.”
    “It’s never locked.” He raised his brow, wondering how much she really knew about a D/s relationship. He guessed she had a lot to learn. It seemed to him that Ella wanted to blame everyone except herself for her bad behavior. “So, are you saying it’s my fault that you entered without permission?”
    Her lips pouted. Gaining in confidence, she